KPPU Latest Investigation : Chiyoda’s Alleged Conspiracy
The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has begun holding an Assembly Session in the Preliminary Investigation stage regarding the rarely heard allegation of conspiracy to obtain company secrets. This allegation implicates PT Chiyoda Kogyo Indonesia (PT CKI), subsidiary of Chiyoda Kogyo Co Ltd, manufacturer of tube deforming processing machinery, BECS Master. What really happened?
KPK Leadership Selection : The Game of Thrones
Mid 2023, the Constitutional Court granted the Judicial Review petition filed by Nurul Ghufron, deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and extended the term of office of the KPK leaders for five years. In the midst of public criticism that this decision is political, towards the end of the same year, the President decided that Ghufron et al’s term of office would be extended until the end of 2024. Now, the selection process for the new set of leaders is underway and interestingly, even though in the past Ghufron’s decisions were criticized, now there are parties who are following in his footsteps and asking the Constitutional Court to redefine the provision of the law. They are none other than the former employees of the commission.
On the Dago Elos Land Dispute : When the Tables are Turned
The dispute over ownership of land covering an area of more than six hectares in Dago Elos, Bandung, West Java, became public on Aug. 14, 2023, after a chaotic event resulted from clashes between residents and the police became viral on social media. After more than six years of dispute in court, in 2022 the Supreme Court declared that the land in question was legally owned by the heirs of the Muller family. However, the residents who occupied the land did not accept the decision and on the day before the riot, representatives of the residents accompanied by the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH) tried to submit a police report regarding alleged fraud against members of the Muller family, unfortunately the plan did not go as expected.
On the Gold Import Scandal : New Suspects
Over a month ago the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that they had named several suspects in a case of alleged corruption involving former officials of PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM). The case apparently was the development of the gold import scandal which was reported back in 2021. Towards the end of last week, the AGO announced that they had named new suspects and by now the case had ensnared 13 suspects.
KPPU Decision on Hardaya Inti Plantations
After several months of hearing, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) finally declared PT Hardaya Inti Plantation (HIP) is guilty in the the alleged violation related to the Implementation of the Partnership between PT HIP and the Amanah Plasma Farming Cooperative Union (Koptan Amanah).
KPPU Trial on Google
The policy changes to the Google Play Store that took effect from June 2022 have a bad impact as several new provisions trigger research initiatives from the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU). Towards the end of September 2022, KPPU announced that it has officially started an investigation into allegations that Google LLC and its subsidiaries have abused their dominant position, conditional sales, and committed discriminatory practices in the distribution of digital apps in Indonesia. Google initially requested for a change in behavior or what is known as a consent decree, the KPPU allowed the attempt. However, Google failed to fulfil its own promise, so the KPPU announced the investigation into the case towards the end of 2023, but the trial did not start until recently.
Shopee Consent Decree
Earlier this year, the new leaders of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) published their initiative to achieve their work targets which consisted of three main sectors, namely energy (oil and gas), digital markets, and food security. In terms of digital markets, as we all know, prior to the appointment of the new leaders, the KPPU has started an investigation into Google. Then, the new leaders announced that it had completed an investigation into Shopee. The trial on the allegations against Shopee started in May 2024 and interestingly Shopee admitted to their wrongdoings. Recently, the reported parties signed a consent decree, but this is not the end of the investigation. In another case, Google failed to meet their agreement in the consent decree, therefore, the trial on the allegations against the company continues.
Rimba Raya Conservation v Ministry of Environment and Forestry
At the beginning of this year, PT Rimba Raya Conservation (PT RRC), a company led by Rusmin Widjaja and Djonni Andhella, sued the Minister of Environment and Forestry. It was later discovered that the Ministry had revoked the business license previously granted to the company. The Ministry, interestingly, only announced and explained the decision they made two months after the lawsuit was filed. Not long ago we learned that the court finally sided with PT RRC and ordered the cancellation of the disputed Minister’s decision.
Latest on the BAKTI Case
Trial on the case of alleged corruption related to a project at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics perhaps will end soon. Within the past week, one defendant has been found guilty and the prosecutors finally read their demands for the patron of PT Sansaine Exindo, Jemy Sutjiawan. However, the demands and punishments so far were disappointing.
Latest on Corruption on MBZ Toll Road Project
Despite the important case profile, the court proceeding on the case of alleged corruption related to the construction of the Jakarta-Cikampek II Elevated Toll Road, better known as the MBZ toll road, continue far from media coverage. The first hearing of the trial started in March 2024 and within only less than four months, the prosecutors had read their demands.